Serving Indiana and beyond: Building a microelectronics workforce and protecting cyber and national security
Guided by the new IU 2030 strategic plan, Indiana University faculty, staff and students—working in close collaboration with industry and community partners—are contributing to Indiana’s future economic prosperity in key sectors that the Hoosier state has targeted for innovation, investment and growth.
In her latest blog, IU President Pamela Whitten celebrated continued advancements in IU’s pathbreaking cybersecurity programs and initiatives—including those addressing cybersecurity in space—that reflect IU’s commitment to pursuing high-impact research and preparing students for successful careers in rapidly evolving industries. At the forefront of these programs, Whitten wrote, is IU's new Space Governance Lab, which offers the first ever space governance and space-cybersecurity digital badge—a non-credit certificate—in the United States.
Last week IU also announced a major new initiative at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering that will give students the opportunity to build and test microelectronics in extreme environments—training them for in-demand jobs while addressing critical defense and space industry challenges.
The project, “A Workforce Ecosystem for Strategic Radiation Hardening by Design,” is supported by a $5 million grant from NSWC Crane and additional support from the Indiana Economic Development Corp. It will prioritize the development of student talent in Indiana and the Ohio River Valley. The initiative is part of the Department of Defense’s Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement program, which aims to create a workforce pipeline for highly trained microelectronics engineers and experts.
“Because of growing industry need and demand, opportunities for students in the field of microelectronics are staggering,” said Joanna Millunchick, dean of the Luddy School. “Collaborations like this one between our faculty and colleagues at Crane and IEDC are essential to ensuring that Indiana is a leader in such a critical sector. This initiative, combined with our new degree programs in nanotechnology and microelectronics, will prepare our students for in-demand jobs while addressing crucial talent needs of industry and government partners who are ready to hire a highly trained workforce.”
Read President Whitten’s blog on “Shaping the future”
Read more about the Luddy School’s partnership with NSWC Crane and the IEDC to address microelectronics workforce needs
Economic Engagement Update
Advancing materials science innovations
IU recently hosted the Midwest Material Innovation Consortium (MMIC) for a two-day meeting aimed at discussing industry news, trends and opportunities within the material science industry. The event, which took place last month, was organized by IU’s Office of Business Partnerships, together with the IU Innovation and Commercialization Office (ICO) and IU Ventures, IU’s early-stage venture and angel investment arm.
The summer meeting, which was attended by members of major corporations, venture capital funds, startups, universities and research groups, included a tour of IU’s Fibers and Additive Manufacturing Enabled Systems (FAMES) Lab, which has spearheaded advancements in areas such as tissue engineering, green energy, additive manufacturing and more. It also featured presentations by IU materials science researchers; conversations about major issues such as artificial intelligence and environmental sustainability; an introduction to IU efforts to support student entrepreneurs; and a visit to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division.
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IU Southeast/Novaparkepartnership launches with Redwire announcement
A partnership between the IU Southeast campus with the Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus in Edwardsville, Ind., took a giant step forward last week with a formal ribbon-cutting announcing that Noveparke is officially open for business. The July 11 event also included the surprise news that Redwire Corporation, a leader in infrastructure for the next-generation space economy with more than 700 employees in the U.S. and Europe, would expand its presence in Floyd County by serving as Novaparke’s first tenant company.
Redwire announced it will invest $8.9 million in a state-of-the-art, 35,000 sq. ft. facility on the Novaparke campus, which will house lab space for Redwire engineers, scientists and technicians, and an additional $6.7 million in new equipment. Construction will start in fall 2023 with the new space opening in early 2025.
The IU Southeast-Novaparke partnership calls for IU Southeast students and faculty from the School of Business and School of Natural Sciences to provide consultation and instruction on the development of business plans, pitch competitions, and laboratory operations for entrepreneurs and fledgling technology companies.
“IU Southeast is dedicated to student success and our 2030 strategic plan is laser-focused on educating the next generation of talent,” said IU Southeast Chancellor Debbie Ford, who assumed her role on July 1. “By partnering with Novaparke, we will provide our students with invaluable opportunities to cultivate their entrepreneurial mindset and acquire practical experience for this evolving knowledge economy.”
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IU in the news
Alumni re-elect Donna B. Spears as trustee
Indiana University alumni have re-elected Donna B. Spears of Richmond, Indiana, to the IU Board of Trustees. Spears was the only candidate on the ballot and received 10,455 votes.
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IUPUC transitioning to IU Columbus by July 1, 2024
As part of the recently approved agreement to formalize the separation of Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC) will transition to Indiana University Columbus over the course of the next year.
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New research immersion program to introduce first-year students to IUPUI’s research enterprise
Beginning this fall, first-year students at IUPUI will have a unique opportunity to gain an immersive experience in research, scholarship and creative activity on campus through the First-Year Research Immersion Program.
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Gift for Jewish Culture Center creates model to counter antisemitism, enhance student experience
IU’s emergent Jewish Culture Center on the Bloomington campus has been endowed through a generous gift from Jill and Ron Sedley. The Jewish Culture Center serves students and develops leaders in a vibrant hub that provides traditional and creative connections to Judaism.
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AI Goes Rural enhances student and teacher experiences in rural Indiana
A week-long day camp over the summer taught middle-school students all about artificial intelligence—and helped IU School of Education faculty continue their mission to introduce AI in rural communities.
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